2025 Fantasy Baseball: Pitching Injury Updates

Overview

This report provides updates on several key MLB pitchers' injury and rehabilitation status as of April 18, 2025. Based on the latest available information, the focus is on their recent performances, recovery timelines, and fantasy baseball implications.

Pitcher Updates

Ranger Suarez, Philadelphia Phillies

Status: Recovering from a back injury, currently in rehab.
Recent Performance: Suarez has excelled in two rehab starts at Single-A, pitching 7.0 innings with 1 run, 4 hits, 1 walk, and 11 strikeouts.
Next Steps: Scheduled to start at Triple-A early next week, targeting 70 pitches.
Return Timeline: Could rejoin the Phillies’ rotation by late April if his next outing is successful.
Fantasy Outlook: A strong pickup in all formats, given his sharp rehab stats and imminent return.

Andrew Painter, Philadelphia Phillies

Status: Recovering from July 2023 Tommy John surgery.
Recent Performance: Made his first 2025 start on April 11 at Single-A, allowing 2 runs and 3 baserunners with 3 strikeouts over 1.1 innings.
Next Steps: Will pitch 2 innings on April 18 at Single-A, with weekly starts to build arm strength.
Return Timeline: Targeted for a major league debut in June 2025, with an 80-inning goal for the season.
Fantasy Outlook: A high-upside stash in dynasty leagues, but patience is required for redraft formats. His 2022 stats (1.56 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 155 strikeouts over 103.2 innings) highlight his potential.

Tony Gonsolin, Los Angeles Dodgers

Status: Rehabbing from a back issue.
Recent Performance: Made three Triple-A starts in April, allowing 3 runs and 12 baserunners with 13 strikeouts over 9.0 innings. His April 15 outing was shaky (3 runs, 8 baserunners, 5 strikeouts over 4.0 innings, 66 pitches).
Next Steps: Likely to be called up next week, especially after Bobby Miller’s poor MLB start.
Return Timeline: Could return by late April, though his role may be temporary until Blake Snell recovers.
Fantasy Outlook: A speculative add in deeper leagues, but his role is uncertain with Snell’s return looming and Clayton Kershaw not far behind him.

Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

Status: On the 60-day injured list after having toe and knee surgery.
Recent Performance: Pitched 3.0 shutout innings at Triple-A on April 16, allowing 2 hits with 2 strikeouts. His fastball velocity was low (88.1 mph), and he leaned on his split-finger pitch (13.3% usage).
Next Steps: Needs to build velocity and stamina in the minors.
Return Timeline: At least six weeks away, likely early June.
Fantasy Outlook: A handcuff option for Dustin May in deeper leagues, given Kershaw’s limited innings in recent years and the Dodgers’ pitching depth.

Jason Foley, Detroit Tigers

Status: On the Triple-A 7-day injured list with a right shoulder strain.
Recent Performance: Before the injury, he threw 6.2 scoreless innings at Triple-A with 1 hit, 0 walks, and 9 strikeouts. His last appearance was April 12.
Next Steps: Under evaluation with no clear return timeline.
Return Timeline: Uncertain, pending further medical updates.
Fantasy Outlook: Drop in most formats but monitor closely, as his closer potential is on hold.

Lance McCullers, Houston Astros

Status: Rehabbing from a forearm injury.
Recent Performance: Posted a 4.70 ERA and 1.57 WHIP with 9 strikeouts over 7.2 innings in three rehab starts. His April 12 outing was strong (0 runs, 1 hit, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts over 4.0 innings, 61 pitches).
Next Steps: Scheduled for a Triple-A start on April 18.
Return Timeline: Expected to be called up next weekend to face the Royals.
Fantasy Outlook: A viable add in 12- and 15-team leagues, given his imminent return and solid last outing.

Grayson Rodriguez, Baltimore Orioles

Status: Sidelined with a right shoulder issue, following an earlier elbow concern.
Recent Performance: Scratched from a bullpen session on April 17 due to shoulder discomfort.
Next Steps: Under evaluation with no throwing scheduled.
Return Timeline: Uncertain, with significant risk for 2025.
Fantasy Outlook: Cut in all formats unless IL spots are available, as his dual injuries dim expectations in 2025.

Brayan Bello, Boston Red Sox

Status: Recovering from a right shoulder issue.
Recent Performance: Made four Triple-A starts, allowing 11 runs, 22 baserunners, and 1 home run with 21 strikeouts over 14.0 innings. His last start (4.1 innings, 4 runs, 7 baserunners, 7 strikeouts, 71 pitches) was inconsistent.
Next Steps: Likely needs one more rehab start.
Return Timeline: Early May, assuming progress.
Fantasy Outlook: A watch-list candidate in 12-team leagues, but an add in deeper formats; his 95.8 mph fastball and sinker-slider-changeup mix are promising but need refinement.

Brandon Woodruff, Milwaukee Brewers

Status: Rehabbing from a shoulder injury.
Recent Performance: Allowed 2 runs, 4 hits, and 2 walks with 5 strikeouts over 3.2 innings in a Triple-A start on April 12 (66 pitches, 93.0 mph fastball). Used four-seamer and sinker heavily (70.4%) but reduced changeup usage (9.1% vs. 17.5% in 2022-23).
Next Steps: Two more Triple-A starts planned.
Return Timeline: Early May call-up expected.
Fantasy Outlook: A priority add in all formats, given his track record and nearing return.

Tobias Myers, Milwaukee Brewers

Status: Rehabbing from an oblique injury.
Recent Performance: Allowed 3 runs and 11 baserunners with 3 strikeouts over 8.1 innings in two Triple-A starts.
Next Steps: One final Triple-A start on April 18.
Return Timeline: Expected to rejoin their rotation next week.
Fantasy Outlook: A deep-league add for his imminent return, but limited strikeout upside caps his value.

Pablo Lopez, Minnesota Twins

Status: Recovering from a hamstring injury.
Recent Performance: Landed on the IL after his April 8 start.
Next Steps: One Triple-A start before returning.
Return Timeline: Expected back in the rotation next week.

Sean Manaea, New York Mets

Status: Recovering from an oblique injury.
Recent Performance: Began throwing this week (60 feet).
Next Steps: Needs bullpen sessions and multiple rehab starts.
Return Timeline: At least two weeks from bullpen work, likely early June.
Fantasy Outlook: A stash in deeper leagues with IL spots, but too far out for shallow formats.

Yu Darvish, San Diego Padres

Status: Recovering from a right elbow issue.
Recent Performance: Progressed to long tossing from 180 feet.
Next Steps: Build up to bullpen sessions and rehab starts.
Return Timeline: Mid-May expected.
Fantasy Outlook: A viable add in 12-team leagues, given his upside and steady progress.

Matt Brash, Seattle Mariners

Status: Rehabbing at Triple-A from a right elbow surgery (internal brace)
Recent Performance: Threw 2.0 shutout innings in two Triple-A outings (2 hits, 0 walks, 2 strikeouts). His sinker averaged 97.3 mph, with a slider as his primary pitch and a new low-volume changeup.
Next Steps: Likely to be called up soon.
Return Timeline: Early May, possibly sooner.
Fantasy Outlook: A must-add in AL-only leagues and a handcuff for Andres Munoz in mixed leagues.

Jack Leiter, Texas Rangers

Status: Recovering from blisters on his pitching hand.
Recent Performance: No recent game data provided.
Next Steps: Scheduled for a rehab assignment this week.
Return Timeline: If rehab goes well, he could return for his next MLB start.

Conclusion

These pitchers represent a mix of imminent returns (Suarez, McCullers, Lopez, and Myers), mid-term recoveries (Painter, Gonsolin, Woodruff, Leiter, and Brash), and longer-term projects (Kershaw, Manaea, and Darvish). Fantasy managers should prioritize based on league depth, IL availability, and proximity to MLB action, while monitoring rehab performances for signs of readiness.